Oil-refiner.



P. R. REYNOLDS. OIL REPINER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1913.

1 1 19 453. Patented Dec. 1,1914. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

87mg To 12 gvwemtoz F. R. REYNOLDS.

OIL REFINE-R.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1913,

1,1 1 9,453. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

s SHBETSLSHEET 2.

aywemoz F- R REYNOLDS F. R. REYNOLDS.

OIL REFINER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 191a Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Elnveutoz F R REYNOLDS 3 SHEETB-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FERD R. REYNOLDS, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

OIL-REFINER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fsnn R. REYnoLos, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bakersfield, in the county of Kern and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil-Refiners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 7

1 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in refiners and more particularly to a. device for refining crude oil, the object of the invention being to provide a device of the above character for separating the gases, lighter oil and sediment from the crude oil.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character whereinsteam is used for heating the crude oil so that the gases and lighter oil may be readily separated from the body of the crude oil 7 A further object- 0f this invention is the provision of a refining device of the above character which will possess advantages in points of efficiency and durability, is inex' pensive of manufacture and at the same time 'is simple in construction and operation. With the above and other objects in view. so this invention consists in the novel features of construction and the combination and Marrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described. pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the tank. parts of the refining device being broken away and in section: Fig. 2 is a.

transverse sectional view looking toward -thebottom of the tank; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the steamdrums and the casing therefor; Fig. 'l is a transverse sectional view looking down upon the upper steam 4511mm and casing, parts being broken away.

Fig. is a detail side elevation of the outside of thcttank; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the connection between the inlet pipes and the steam drum and casing;

Fig. 7 is a detail elevation of the top of the casing illustrating the movable cover arranged within the top.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a tank generally designated by the numeral 66 1 in which my refining device is to be arranged. The tank lcoinprises a cylindrical Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed August 9, 1913. Serial No. 784,008".

body member, theupper edge of which is provided with the outwardly projecting aunular flange 2 upon which the outer edges of the top 3 rest and are secured thereto by means of the bolts 4. I The top 3 is provided at its central portion with an opening 5. said opening being reinforced and provided with the screw threads 6 which are adapted for engagementwith a nipple 7. Mounted (35 upon the outer end of the nipple is an elbow 8, which is suitably connected to the outlet pipe 9, said outlet. pipe preferably leading to a condenser of any ordinary form, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set, forth.

The tank 1 is provided at one side thereof and adjacent the top with an opening in which is arranged a suitable bushing 10. Threaded in the bushing 10 is a pipe 11 which extends inwardly tothe centerof the tank and the outer end thereof projects slightly beyond the outer 'wall o1- thetank and threaded thereon is a T 12'int0 the outer end of which is threaded a nipple 13 and threaded upon the outer-end of the nipple is a stnfling bolv l4. Engaged -with "therT is the inlet pipe through which the crude oil is conveyed into the. tank. 'Arranged within the pipe 11 is a-smaller pipe 16 adapted for the passage of steam into the tank.

Arrangedwithin the tank 1 are a plurality of steam drums 17, said drums being arranged in superimposed relation and each 9 connected by means of a nipple 18, the ends of which are provided with the screw threads 19 adapted to engage with the screw threads formed upon the ipi-nforcing rings 20, said rings being securedby uni-ans of the rivets 20 to the drums encircling the central openings formed therein. The uppermost drum within the tank is connected to the inlet pipe 16 by means of an elbow 21 and the elbow 21 is connected to the uppermost drum by means we of the sleeve 22. the lower end of which is provided with an" annular flange 23 arranged within the drum and secured thereto in any suitable manner. The lowermost drum within the tank communicates with a vertically disposed pipe 24, the uppenend of which is threaded in the bushing 25 which is arranged around the central opening in the lower side of the lowermost drum. The lower end of the pipe 24 is connected by means of the elbow 25 to the outlet pipe .26. The outlet pipe extends outwardly through the wall of the ttnk 1 adjacent the lower end thereof and is suitably threaded within a bushing 27. A valve 28 is located in the outer end 'of the pipe 26 whereby'the steam ,within the drums may be readily released, when desired.

The drums 17 are preferably formed of two pieces of sheet metal, the central p0rtion of whichis arcuate, as clearly illustrated in F i g. 3 and the outer meeting edges thereof'are riveted or otherwise secured to gether, as shown at 129, Arranged within the drum around the centralortion thereof are the stay bolts 30, the en 5 of which are mounted in the upper and lower portions of the drums to securely support the same in position andretain them against further expansion. The drums are preferably supported by means of an annular ring 31 which is secured to the lowermost drum upon the under side thereof, by means of the set screws 32. The ring 31-is supported by means of the standards 33, the upper ends of which are provided with the outwardly turned portions and secured to the ring by means of the set screws 32. The lower ends of the standards are outwardly turned and secured to the bottom of the tank 1 by means of the rivets or other fastening.

means, as'shown at 35.. v

The steam drums 17 are provided with a suitable casing or housing 36 which is preferably constructed similar-to'the drums and adapted. to entirely int-lose the same. The casings 36 are suitably connected bymeans of the sleeves 37, one end of which is provided with the annular flange 38, said flange being riveted or other ise secured to the easing around the opening 39; The opposite end of the sleeve 37 is-provided with screw threads adapted for engagement with the annular ring 40 which is adapted to encircle the opening within the casing and riveted or otherwise secured, as shown at41, to the casing. The uppermost casing is connected to the inner end of the pipe 11 by means of a sleeve 42 which is adapted for threaded engagement with the central opening inthe uppermost casing. The sleeve 42 is engaged within the lower end of the elbow 43, the opptsite end of said elbow engaging with the inner end of the pipe 11 whereby said pipe will be suitably connected with the casings and adapted for communication with the interior thereof.

The casingfor the lowermost of the drums 17 is eliminated so that as the oil asses over the lowermost of the casing it will drop on top of the drum and spread out to the side edges thereof, the oil being heated on its passage through the casings 36, the gases and water, which has by this time been changed to steam will rise up'toward the top of the tank while the basic sediment of, the oil will pass downwardly over the edges of the drum on to the inwardly inclined de 7 fleeting plate 44, said plate being annular in form and arranged directly beneath the outer edge of the drum 17. The passage of the oil from the plate 44 is directed on to the outwardly inclined deflecting plate 45, said plate being arranged directly beneath the drum 17 so as to discharge the oil toward the bottom of the tank. The oil, after being discharged toward the bottom of the tank will flow toward the center thereof by means of the inclined bottom 46 and pass out through a centrally arranged opening in which is arranged a pipe 47, the upper end of said pipe being adapted for threaded en; gagement with the reinforced ring 48. Secured to the lower end of the pipe 47'is an elbow 49, which is connected through the medium of the sleeves 50 andthe elbows 51 and 51, to the outlet pipe 52. The outlet pipe is adapted to convey the heated oil which is the basic sediment of the oil, to a tank or sump hole.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the deflecting plates 44 and 45 are suitably supported by means of the downw rdly projecting inwardly inclined bracin members 53, the upper ends of which are secured to the inner wall of the tank by means of the bolts 54,.the lower ends of said bracing members being disposed at an angle,

as shown at 55-, and secured tothe lower edge] of the deflecting bolts 56. I The. deflecting plate. 44" is sup ported upon the brace-members 53 at a point above the plate 45 'byrmeansof the bolts 56'.

The casings-36 are securely held in position plate 45 by means ofthe by means of the connectingbolts' 57, said bolts being arranged within suitable openings formed in the annular flange 58. The lower ends of said bolts are provided with a suitable head member and threaded upon the upper ends thereof are the nuts 59, which securely retain the bolts in position and hold the casings against lateral movement. bolts are the inwardly projecting ends 60 of the inclined brace members 61, the upper ends of said brace members 61 bein 'secured to the inner walls of the tank 1 by means of the bolts 62.

Arranged within the tank 1 and adapt ed to inclose the casings v36 is a jacket 63. This jacket is in the form of an annular body member, the lower end of which i adapted to rest upon the inwardly extend ends 60 of the brace members 61. Mounte upon the upper end of the body member is a' cap 64 which is substantially conical in form and provided at its lower edge with the annular flange 65 adapted to engage over the upper end of the body 63 and to be secured thereto by means of the rivets- (3 6, any other suitable fastening means being used, if desired. Secured to the cap Secured to the lower ends of the i 64 and adapted to communicate with the interior of the jacket is a tubular casing 67, the inner end of which is provided with the annular flange 68 adapted to be arranged around the opening formed in the top and secured thereto by means of the rivets 69. Securedto the inner wall of the tank 1 and arranged around the inlet pipe 11 is a sleeve 70 having an annular flange 71 formed at its inner end and adapted to be riveted or otherwise secured to the tank. The casing 67 is connected to the end of the nip le 70 by means of the sleeve 7 2, which is a apted to be arranged upon and engage the ends of the casing 67 and the nipple 70. The casing 67 is adapted to support the pipe 11 and, at the same time, forms a warming chamber to initially heat the crude oil as it passes through the same, the casing 11 receiving its heat from the steam that passes upwardly through the body 1.

Adjustably mounted within the upper portions of the casings 36 are the set screws 73. These set screws, the lower ends of which engage with the upper member of the ,drums 17, are adapted to be adjusted to securely retain the casings 36 and the drums 17 in spaced relation. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the inclined bottom 46 of the tank is provided at'its outer edge with an up- 7 wardly projecting annular flange 74 which is riveted or otherwise secured, as shown at 75, to the lower end of the body of the tank. Extending inwardly from one side of the tank atthe lower end thereof is a steam inlet pipe 76, the inner end of which is provided with a cap 77 and is provided adjacent its inner end with a plurality of circularly arranged openings 78 through which the steam is adapted to escape so as to force the gases and vapors toward the upper end of the tank where they maybe conveyed outwardly through the pipe 9. The top 64 of the jacket 63 is provided with an opening adapted to be closed by a removable cover 79, said cover being provided with a catch member 80 whereby the same will be securely held in its closed position. This opening in the top 64 is provided so that the hand of the operator may be readily inserted to adjust the set screws 73 or for various other pur oses.

In the practica operation of in device, the steam is first turned into the rums 17 through the pipes 16 so that the drums will become sufliciently heated before the oil is turned into the casing. It will be readil understood that the valve member 28 wil remain open to a certain extent so as to allow the condensed water to escape. After the steam has entered the drums 17 and heated the same to a certain extent, the crude oil is turned into the casings through the pipe 11, said oil passing downwardly over and around the drums 17 and as it reaches the lowermost casing, it will pass out the lower end thereof on. top of the drum 17 wherein the first gases and vapors may readily escape upwardly around the jacket 63 toward the outlet opening 5. The oil then flows overthe edges of the steam drum 17 down on to the upper deflecting plate 44, thence down onto the lower deflecting plate 45 which diverge the oil outwardly and downwardly toward the bottom of the tank; any emulsion in the oil is broken and the gases and water, which by this time has turned to steam, will rise upwardly around the jacket 6 and pass on up into the outlet pipe 9.

In order to assist the vapors and the gases to rise toward the outlet openings 5, steam is turned into the pipe 76 and escapes through the openings 78, said steam rising toward the top of the tank forcing the gases and vapors therewith. The gases and vapors which pass into the pipe 9 are conveyed to a condenser which may be of any well known or ordinary form, which is preferably submerged in oil or water so that the gases and vapors may be readily condensed into a liquid. It will be understood that this liquid which is in the form of the condensed gases and vapor may be readily used for fuel or any other purpose for which it may be desired. The sediment of the oil which is left and which drops on to the bottom 46 of the tank will pass downwardly and out through the outlet pipe 52, being conveyed away to a suitable tank reservoir or sump hole, as desired.

While I have shown and described the preterred form of my invention, it will be obvious that various steam pressures may be used according to the kind of oil to be refined. It will be apparent that the heavier the oil is, the more steam pressure will be requlred to heat the oil and separate the gases and vapor from the body of the oil, while in refining lighter oil, it will only require a small amount of steam; In the above, I have described a specially constructed tank for the use of my improved refiner, but it will be understood that the same may be ut into any form of tank and used equal y as well providing the tank is a r tight. It will also be apparent that my improved refiner is extremely simple in construction and can be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

What I claim is 1. A device of the class described including a tank having outlets at its upper and lower ends, a plurality of communicating steam drums arran d therein, communicating casings inclosing said drums and having an inlet at the top of the tank and an outlet ad'acent the lower end thereof, whereby cru e oil injected in throu h the inlet at the upper end of the tank wi 1 pass downwardly through the casings, and through the outlet adjacent the lower end of the tank, the gases and vapors from the heated oil rising upwardly to the outlet at the upper end of the tank, the casing being eliminated from the lowermost of said drums, the heated oil will pass therefrom, oppositely inclined bafile plates over which the oil is adapted to pass wherein any emulsion in the 011 will be broken and the gases remaining therein will rise upwardly toward the outlet in the top of the tank and the base of the oil will continue on its assage through the outlet at the bottom the tank.

5 A device of the class described including a tank, a plurality of communicating steam drums arranged within the tank, an

inlet pipe connected to the drums at the upper end of the tank, an outlet pipe for said drums at the lower end of the tank, a plurality of casings inclosing the drums, said casin s having an inlet at the u per end of the tank, and an outlet ad'acent t e lower end, oppositely disposed de ector plates arranged below said drums, and brace members having their upper ends secured to the inner wall of the tank and their lower ends secured to said deflector plates to support the same in position.

In testimonyq whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in t e resence of two witnesses.

RD R. REYNOLDS. Witnesses:

A. H. LIsooMB, C. L. SEAGER, 

